Dolores de alba, owner and esthetician

dolores de alba has a humility, warmth and gentleness that belies her extensive training and expertise in the field of skincare, brow shaping, body treatments and make-up artistry. as an internationally-trained esthetician and educator, dolores spent the early years of her career learning from the best skincare educators and mentors around the world.

dolores’ passion for skin care was truly ignited while she was living abroad in italy and attended the dora bruschi scuola di estetica for advanced training. dolores fell in love with the european approach to skin and beauty, especially as it relates to an inner and outer radiance that comes from overall well-being.

after her time in italy and visiting family on the east coast, dolores headed back to san francisco and her position at a prominent downtown spa for several months before she encountered the man she would marry. while in san francisco, dolores began to develop her skills as an educator, helping other spa owners develop their spa treatment menus and choosing products. within a few months after being back in san francisco, dolores met james and followed her heart to be with james in a hip little part of hollywood. dolores quickly landed a position at one of la’s exclusive spas where she trained under hollywood’s most prominent estheticians and brow shaping experts.

during her time in hollywood, dolores perfected her trade on a highly discriminating clientele including top celebrities. “spa savvy women who frequent exclusive spas and salons want exceptional results and a highly personalized beauty regime. as an esthetician for this caliber of clientele, i began my journey into discovering what women want – ultimate pampering, discretion and both products and treatments that produce superior results from their products and treatments.”

dolores and james loved the fun and sparkle of la, but always had aspirations to one day move back up north and own a skincare and wellness retreat sanctuary that would redefine the term ‘day spa.’ in 2004, this dynamic duo decided to follow their dream of living in wine country and created a special haven that focuses on beauty, skincare and wellness treatments. blush opened to rave reviews and quickly developed an impressive roster of loyal clientele, some of whom regularly travel from san francisco to the east coast to enjoy the incomparable level of service and attention that they receive at blush.

as a longtime skincare educator at world-renowned resorts including miraval, caesars, carneros inn and rancho santa fe, dolores has been exposed to some of the world’s best treatments and products and brings them back to blush. best known for her amazing brow shaping, result-oriented facials that include gentle but thorough extractions, exquisite healing therapies and anti-aging treatments, dolores feels confident in promising her clients superior results.

despite her philosophy of providing an experience of luxurious exclusivity for every client who visits blush, dolores is equally committed to making beauty available for every woman. while many of the products and treatments she offers are sold to celebrity clientele in ny and la for quadruple her price, dolores refuses to succumb to charging high ticket prices for her services. “everyone deserves to feel good about themselves; to experience radiant, glowing skin or even just to have great brows. i want to make it accessible.” she stands behind this belief by featuring specials that offer men and women the opportunity to indulge in pampering with unique spa packages, spa parties to celebrate downtime with friends and occasionally discounted series of the revolutionary max7 light therapy treatment.

over the years, her greatest accolades have come from magazine beauty editors, women who get facials for a living. frequently, these experienced and demanding clients leave a treatment with dolores and say they’ve never had a better facial: fewer lines, diminished acne, less redness, a reduced appearance of sun damage, a smooth and re-sculpted face even after one treatment.

after more than 15 years in the industry, it still makes my day when i see a client’s delight in their newly glowing skin or to hear how much our products or light therapy series has changed their life.” dolores’ clients come back again and again for an extra boost of therapeutic beauty and a large dose of feeling fabulous.

the man and the romance behind blush

james de alba is the operations manager and financial guru behind blush. born in san francisco, james was living in los angeles and running a successful importing business when he drove up to visit family for his birthday. he was introduced to dolores by his sister; it was love at first sight. within a few months, after traveling back east for her parents’ blessing, james proposed to dolores and the couple began their life together in a hip little part of hollywood called los feliz. as dolores’ partner, james has been involved from the beginning, bringing a man’s view on the services and products for men interested in great looking skin and wellness. the two continue to work together, though james has been lured away by a new passion: restoring vintage motorcycles. however, don’t be surprised if you show up for a spa treatment and find a charming man with a contagious smile offering you tea and slippers.

testimonials...

i recently went to blush for a day of pampering and was so happy with the services that i received. from the moment i booked my appt i was treated with kindness and care. i called on a wednesday requesting an appt for that friday for a 3 hr spa package. not an easy appt to get last minute, but the receptionist made it happen! when i arrived on fri the masseuse was ready and there was no delay. she began with a deep tissue massage with arnica which was amazing. she kept the lights very low and soft spa music was playing. i felt that she was so intuitive to what my body needed. she used just the right amount if pressure to work through tight muscles but not too heavy that i was uncomfortable. ~- carolyn -